Psalm 86.
Psalm 80 is the one psalm of David in the Third Book. Psalm 83 as we have seen, presented the last attack of the nations, and Psalm 84 is founded on the Lord’s having come for the deliverance of His people. What follows to the end of this Book (at Psalm 89) relates to the feelings of the godly thus delivered.
It is a known and trusted God that is addressed here; One in whom there is confidence growing out of having known Him. It is interesting to observe His attributes as here given: lie keeps the soul of the godly, and will save His servants who confide in Him ( verse 2); He will be gracious to those who call upon Him ( verse 3); He can make His servants re-puce (verse 4); Ile is good, forgiving, and of great loving kindness to all that call upon Him (verse 5); He is a prayer-answering God ( verse 7); He is exalted in power above all the mighty ones ( verse 8); every knee shall bow to Him ( verse 9); Ile is great and does wondrous things, He is God alone (verse 10).
The first section of this psalm is a prayer for help in distress, —such a request as is often made to God by His saints; but the second section, verses 1 1, 12, 13, goes a step further:
“Teach me Thy way.... I will walk in Thy truth; unite my heart to fear Thy name,” and again,
“I will praise Thee, O Lord my God with my whole heart.” This should be the language of every believer. We are prone to seek only for escape out of trouble, and having received the answer to our prayer, then to settle down in a natural, self-centered fashion. Rather should we be seeking to learn from the Bible, His Word, what is “His way” for us, and to walk in His truth. From such occupation comes true happiness and the outflow of praise to God with one’s “whole heart.” The 13th verse expresses that which is true of every believer.
Verses 14 to 17 appear to point to the wicked not yet dealt with by the Lord. It is evident from various scriptures that the enemies will not all, at one time, be dealt with by Him; David’s reign, —type of the beginning of the Lord’s millennial reign, was one in which enemy after enemy was subdued.
ML 05/03/1931